Course Overview

Course summary

If you want to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales you will need to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) – the vocational stage of training that bridges the gap between academic studies and life in a law firm.

Westminster Law School has a well established reputation for the delivery of solicitors' vocational training and our LLM in Legal Practice (which incorporates Stages 1 and 2 of the LPC) equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful 21st-century lawyer.

Distinctive features of the course include:

Highly experienced and approachable lecturers who are all qualified solicitors or barristers.

Small, interactive group work, allowing you to benefit from individual guidance and help.

All sessions are set within a balanced timetable to replicate the tasks undertaken in practice.

A broad range of Stage 2 electives, reflecting areas of practice from high-street to city firms.

The opportunity to undertake real client legal work under the supervision of tutors working in the Student Law Centre. The focus is on experiential learning through reflection, analysis and planning.

A mentoring scheme which pairs you with mentors working in an area you are interested in. Our mentors are predominantly former Westminster LPC students who are now working in an area of legal practice.

The course is taught at Westminster Law School's recently refurbished state-of-the-art premises in the heart of London's West End and within the vicinity of many law firms.

Course structure

The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Westminster's LPC assessments meet SRA expectations. They are designed to be realistic and constructive by genuinely testing you and enabling you to demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills through a mixture of written examinations and practical assessments. Assessment takes place throughout Stage 1 of the LPC and at the end of Stage 2 electives. Generally the assessments are 'open book' and you are allowed to use both textbooks and your own written notes. You are timetabled to allow sufficient revision and preparation time for examinations and assessments.

To complete the Legal Practice LLM you will have to attend the 20 credits Social Research Methods: Principles & Practice module, which requires the formulation of a research question of relevance to legal practice to be addressed in the dissertation and accompanying methodology as approved by the module leaders/Dissertation Supervisor.

The 40 credits Legal Practice Dissertation module requires the submission of a dissertation of approximately 8,000 words. Assessment is entirely based on submission of this dissertation and you must attain a mark of 50% in order to pass the dissertation.

Commercial electives

Solicitors Regulation Authority

The Legal Practice Course is awarded by the University of Westminster and is accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). All providers of the Legal Practice Course are governed by the rules and regulations as set out by the SRA.

Programme Specification

Course Leader

Assistant Head of School

David graduated in law from the University of Durham and then subsequently trained as a teacher at the University of Ulster. He later returned to practice and was admitted as a solicitor in 1993. His principal areas of practice were in family law including care work and in criminal litigation. He joined the Law School in 1998 but has maintained links with practice, working until recently as a consultant in the family law department of a North London firm. He has taught mainly on the Legal Practice Course and is the Assessments Officer for that course. He is the Programme Leader for Professional Courses in the Law School (GDL, CILEx and the LPC.)

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Qualifying law degree or non-law degree followed by Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Level 6 qualification. Students must have covered the following seven law topics: Constitutional and Administrative Law, The Law Contract, Equity and Trusts, EU Law, Land Law (property Law) or Law or Torts. If you have previously studied the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) within the last five years, you may be eligible for exemptions. Due to recent changes to Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) regulations, it is important that you have met SRA education and training requirements for the purpose of the LPC before you enrol on the course. If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each element. Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Qualifying law degree or non-law degree followed by Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Level 6 qualification. Students must have covered the following seven law topics: Constitutional and Administrative Law, The Law Contract, Equity and Trusts, EU Law, Land Law (property Law) or Law or Torts. If you have previously studied the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) within the last five years, you may be eligible for exemptions. Due to recent changes to Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) regulations, it is important that you have met SRA education and training requirements for the purpose of the LPC before you enrol on the course. If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each element. Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.

Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

With a growing network of over 3,000 employers around the world and a team of experienced careers consultants, we provide you with a variety of opportunities to work and develop new skills. As a University of Westminster student, you’ll have access to our services throughout your studies and after you graduate.

The Legal Skills Academy is a joint initiative between Westminster Law School and the Careers and Employability Service.

As a law student you will have access to specialist workshops and presentations to help you to develop your employability skills. Our events are usually led by legal professionals, giving you the opportunity to network with lawyers and other professionals in the field.

What our students say

Katie
Sills

Without a doubt, it was the people that made the course for me. The lecturers are first rate and everyone on the course was very supportive of each other.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the pro-bono clinic as it gave me the opportunity to work on a real-life case under excellent supervision. This definitely broadened my understanding of law in practice and prepared me for work experience placements.

Jaro
Bernart

The course was very well structured. The materials were logically put together, and sessions tied over nicely to create steady progress and resemble real scenarios. In addition to the Universityâs own materials, external publications (eg by Oxford University Press) were included â thatâs not something my friends on other LPCs received.
I had an excellent relationship with the lecturers and tutors, and I have fond memories of each of them.

Romela
Ramberran

While the course was a bit challenging, the supportive staff and lecturers were always there as guides and mentors.
As the course structure was divided between lectures and small group sessions, it allowed students to interact and work together on questions which helped to foster relationships with peers. The numerous events held both within and outside the Law School also aided in this process.